Why a Baby?
By Dawn Okrasinski
My Mother had a beautiful old nativity that took pride of place on the old drop-down desk in the corner of our large kitchen. Each year one of us had the privilege of placing the manger, along with the baby Jesus, inside the stable on Christmas Eve. This was one of the final expressions of our faith during a dinner called “Wigilia.”
Wigilia began by setting a place at the table for an unexpected guest on a snowy white tablecloth that represented the mantle of Mary. A small handful of hay was placed under the cloth to represent the manger of Christ. The food, each one carefully chosen for a specific reason and numbering twelve to represent the apostles, were presented to the table one after the other by the hands of a slightly harried Auntie or my smiling Mother. Before one bite could be taken, we would stand at our chairs as the host couple would begin the meal. They would humbly ask for atonement and forgiveness for any slight or lack of love to the other. They would break unleavened bread called "Oplatki," beginning the tradition of each family member breaking bread with one another. While we did this, we also wished each other love, asked for forgiveness, and ended in a big love fest before we sat down to pray and eat.
My cousins and I were spun up crazy by the ripple of anticipation flowing around the raised voices and smells of Christmas. Our mothers would gently calm us, bringing our attention back to the true reason of for the evening as we ate and squirmed. Still, I also remember that Santa was waiting in the wings too. Somehow, in my little mind, the baby Jesus and Santa melded into one great miraculous wonder laden with gifts.
As I grew older, I realized that our Wigilia traditions symbolized the reasons for Christ’s birth: Love, Forgiveness, and Redemption. Jesus came not only to die but to testify to the truth about his Father, who would become our Father. …I was born and come into the world, for this reason, to testify to the truth. John 18: 37 (NIV) And like traditions and cultural beliefs that weave connection and belonging around us and through us, he came to join us to God’s love personally. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John14: 6 (CEB)
His birth bridged the heavenly realm to the earthly man. We were able to relate to Jesus’s story, his temptations, and his sacrifice. Through his love, we understood God's love. Through his gift, we were able to accept our redemption. This spiritual awakening allowed us to feel the overwhelming love of God’s grace for the first time. …For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)
It is hard to imagine that a baby led the way! Not a king, or a priest or prophet, but an innocent, unblemished, little boy opened the door to those who would listen and hear. Humble birthed and gloriously blessed, Jesus revealed his Father to the lowly, sinful, lost, and poor. God sent a baby, so we could know and relate to pure love. Blessed are the pure of heart: For they shall see God. Matt 5:8 (NIV) Sixty years ago, when I reverently placed the baby Jesus on his manger, I had no idea that I too would become part of his family. Today, as I walk in faith and salvation, I continue to experience Christ’s arrival as that miraculous wonder laden with gifts; a precious baby that would symbolize new life, hope, and an eternal place with our Father.
Reflect:
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)
God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his good will and plan. Ephesians 1:5 (CEB)
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. John 1:4 (NIV)
Take Action:
Celebrate the message of Advent this year by carving out time for reflection and prayer.
Schedule time to serve others who are less fortunate.
Gift someone your time as an expression of love.
Give Jesus a special gift this year.
Pray and Love and Serve with the intention of glorifying God.
